Have you ever wondered what is happening on the other side of the North Korean border? As you know, in the DPRK is one of the most stringent and closed regimes in the world. Even in the USSR, citizens were much freer. But in different ways, intelligence from other countries managed to learn more about the way of life of a simple North Korean, and these details may shock you. Next, we give a list of 25 cases that are usual for us, which are banned in the DPRK.
1
Calls abroad
Any attempt to contact illegally with the outside world is punishable by death. Yes, yes, just such a punishment. As you know, after the Second World War, the country was divided, and many families remained on opposite sides of the border. They have no way to meet or even just contact each other over the phone.
It is known that several people were shot for calls and conversations with their relatives.
The situation changed a bit in 2018, when the whole world saw on television a meeting of relatives on the demarcation line. It was impossible to look at it without tears.
2
Have your own opinion
If all over the world people themselves choose their fate, discuss bills, influence the activities of the government, then in the DPRK this is all impossible. If the party decided that it would be better for the people, then nobody will listen to the opinion of the people. Any dissatisfaction is strictly punished.
3
Have an iphone
Whether you have an apple gadget, Android or any other Western-made technology - all this is prohibited. And there is no way to buy these devices in North Korea. Everything is strictly controlled. Phones have only a limited circle of people from the government.
4
Only the “right” music
Any music should be only domestic production and, one way or another, sing the glorious regime of the party and leader. Listening to western music, which “corrupts” the pristine brain of a North Korean resident, is severely punished.
5
Touch political propaganda posters
All posters in a country with a political character. The few tourists who managed to visit the DPRK say that for spoiling the propaganda or illegal removal of the poster, up to 10 years of hard labor are threatened.
By the way, at thebiggest.ru you can find a list of countries in which the communist regime operates.
6
Discuss or mock a leader
DPRK leader Kim Jong-un is comparable in the country with a deity that can only be praised. Any jokes against him are forbidden. Yes, in many countries it is impossible to insult the president, but here we are joking about the authorities and we are loved and perceived with a smile. But in the DPRK with a sense of humor, everything is not so good.
7
Call the country "North Korea"
This we divide Korea into two countries - Northern and Southern, but in the northern part it is believed that only their country is real Korea, therefore there is the name DPRK (Korean People's Democratic Republic). That's exactly what you need to say inside the country, otherwise ... well, guess for yourself.
8
Take pictures
This rule is primarily for tourists. Seeing a tourist walking freely with a camera in the center of the capital, he will immediately be asked to remove the device. There are many places in the DPRK that are strictly closed for filming. There were many cases when tourists simply took away cameras without any explanation.
9
Drive
Here it is necessary to make a reservation that anyone can drive a car in North Korea, but getting rights is very difficult. The country has a 4-step form for obtaining a driver’s license. Having received the rights, you have 4 class, with which it is impossible to drive. You will need to practice a year in a driving school, then pass a difficult exam. Getting a first-class driver’s license is almost impossible. It is necessary to work out 30 years without accidents and violations, as well as be able to assemble the car. Yes, yes, it is to assemble, not repair. The work of the driver is very much appreciated in the DPRK. Almost no one has personal cars, only the "top". The rest are issued from enterprises or the state.
10
Sarcasm
According to many defectors, joking out loud towards the authorities is not worth it. Even a harmless tourist joke can be taken seriously. Even your neighbor can “bother” you and problems await you.
11
Saying something against the government
As already mentioned, this is prohibited. Everyone who somehow dared to say something against the official authorities is already in “famous places”.
12
Ask about Kim Jong-un's birthday
And now no one knows for sure the date of birth of the North Korean leader, both inside the country and outside it. According to some sources, he was born on January 8, 1982, according to others in 1984. If you are interested in the personal data of the leader of the country, then you are most likely a mishandled spy and an enemy of the state.
13
Drink alcohol
In North Korea, drinking alcohol is permitted only on certain holidays and hours. And there are times when you can go to jail for drunken appearances. This happened to one officer who, during the mourning of Kim Jong Il, allowed himself to drink alcohol. He was shot without trial.
14
Wearing a mohawk
All hairstyles must be agreed and approved by the party. No Iroquois and other “demonic” styles for you. There are 30 hairstyles that are approved at the government level. 15 male and 15 female. And all diplomats and students are required to wear a hairstyle in the style of "a la Kim Jong-un." And about dyeing hair and no question.
15
Leave the country
If a resident illegally crosses the border of the country, then there is no way back for him. Voluntarily, he is unlikely to return, and if caught, he will be publicly executed. But still, many decide to escape from the country, especially border guards and soldiers who serve near the border. There are many videos from southern neighbors when defectors were shot at the border.
By the way, about countries with the maximum number of neighboring neighbors read in our article on thebiggest.ru.
16
Live in Pyongyang
Residents of the capital of the DPRK are literally selected by the government. It’s just impossible to get a registration there. You must be a helpful person with “right” political views, a crystal-clear reputation and a brilliant education. The registration in Pyongyang is also awarded to the great figures of culture and art, actors and athletes who have achieved something.
17
View pornography
If you were caught in the DPRK watching a spicy video, then you can be shot. Even Kim Jong-un’s ex-girlfriend didn’t escape execution for recording erotic content. She was executed in front of the family.
18
Religion
North Korea positions itself as an atheistic state where there is no religion. All questions about God and religion are prohibited. In 2013, the fact of the execution of eighty Christian believers was simply for reading the Bible in public.
19
Internet using
DPRK residents only have access to the country's internal websites. You can use programs that allow you to change the IP address and bypass the firewall, but such actions are strictly punished, including imprisonment. Only a limited number of people have access to the network. The country has only one or two providers that provide access to the World Wide Web.
Own network in the country is called "Kwanmen" and has about 5 thousand web pages. It is used by approximately 100 thousand people from more than 20 million people. Content consists mainly of scientific and political articles that are rigorously monitored. Publishing material there so simply is not possible unless it is about an omnipotent leader, of course.
There is an interesting fact. When the name Kim Jong-un is mentioned on the page, it visually stands out.
Want to know which countries have the largest number of Web users? We have published an interesting article for you.
20
You can not vote
If elections are held, then everyone should take part in them. Only here is the choice for DPRK citizens no alternative. All vote for one well-known candidate. For example, in 2009, turnout at the plots was 99.80%. Kim Jong Il then received 100% support from the people.
21
To wear jeans
Jeans should not be worn, however, like other Western clothes. Jeans in the DPRK are perceived as a symbol of their main enemy - the United States. By the way, piercing is also impossible. This law is especially controlled in the regions bordering China, where the people are “most exposed” to the influence of Western cultures.
At thebiggest.ru you can find out about the most expensive jeans manufacturers in the world.
22
Watch the “right” TV
The inhabitants of the DPRK should watch only state channels on which they show propaganda and successful launches of nuclear missiles round the clock. In the border areas with South Korea are powerful "stubs" that extinguish the signal. But there were incidents. About 500 people have already been killed or imprisoned for watching Western channels.
23
Jail break
In any country, jailbreak is considered a crime, but in North Korea they have gone even further. If the convict escapes, then three generations from his family will face punishment.
24
Reading books
If a tourist is walking along the street with a guide book, then problems may await him. All Western books and literature are banned. Residents are only allowed books.
25
Can't be wrong
This applies to publications. In 2010, a case was known when a journalist was executed for a small typo in an article. That's where it really is, any mistake can cost you your life. These are the harsh laws of North Korea.
Finally
And what laws did we forget to mention in this article? You can write your answers, as well as opinions on this country in the comments.